U.S. patent number 4,965,899 [Application Number 07/338,560] was granted by the patent office on 1990-10-30 for air cushion for chair and chair utilizing the air cushion.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Okamoto Industries,Inc.. Invention is credited to Toshimichi Hioki, Hiroshi Sekido.
United States Patent |
4,965,899 |
Sekido , et al. |
October 30, 1990 |
Air cushion for chair and chair utilizing the air cushion
Abstract
A vehicle seat assembly is provided having a inflatable bag
positioned within its seat cushion. The bag comprises first and
second fabric members joined by a rib fabric member. Each first and
second member is a laminate consisting of a meshed middle fabric
sandwiched between two thermoplastic resin layers adhered to one
another via the meshes. Only the outer peripheries of the two resin
layers are in direct sealing contact with one another. An air port
is sealingly connected to the first or second member to allow air
to be supplied or removed from the bag to change its contour.
Inventors: |
Sekido; Hiroshi (Chiba,
JP), Hioki; Toshimichi (Gifu, JP) |
Assignee: |
Okamoto Industries,Inc. (Tokyo,
JP)
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Family
ID: |
53674410 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/338,560 |
Filed: |
April 14, 1989 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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41132 |
Feb 20, 1987 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Oct 15, 1985 [JP] |
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60-230600 |
Nov 20, 1985 [JP] |
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60-179392 |
Nov 20, 1985 [JP] |
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60-179393 |
Jun 28, 1986 [JP] |
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61-99312 |
Jul 16, 1986 [JP] |
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61-168939 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
297/284.6;
297/DIG.3; 297/284.9; 297/284.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C
7/021 (20130101); A47C 4/54 (20130101); B60N
2/914 (20180201); B60N 2/99 (20180201); A47C
7/467 (20130101); B60N 2/4415 (20130101); B60N
2/665 (20150401); A47C 7/029 (20180801); Y10S
297/03 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47C
7/46 (20060101); A47C 4/00 (20060101); A47C
4/54 (20060101); A47C 7/02 (20060101); B60N
2/44 (20060101); B60N 2/64 (20060101); B60N
2/66 (20060101); A47C 027/08 () |
Field of
Search: |
;5/499,450,453,455-457,481 ;297/284,DIG.3 ;428/264 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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1195549 |
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Nov 1959 |
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FR |
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205230 |
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Dec 1982 |
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JP |
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Primary Examiner: Trettel; Michael F.
Parent Case Text
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 041,132
filed as PCT JP86/00524 on Oct. 15, 1986, published as WO87/02230
on Apr. 23, 1987, now abandoned.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A vehicle seat assembly which comprises
a seat cushion which provides an upper surface on which a user
sits, said upper surface having a contour,
an inflatable bag device positioned within said seat cushion, said
inflatable bag device comprising first and second generally
rectangular outer fabric members which are in direct sealing
contact with one another along only peripheries thereof, a rib
fabric member connected between said first and second outer fabric
members inwardly of said peripheries thereof, each said first and
second fabric member being made of a laminated sheet member
consisting of a meshed middle fabric layer sandwiched between two
thermoplastic synthetic resin layers, the two layers being adhered
to each other through the meshes of the middle layer,
an air port sealingly connected to one of said first and second
outer fabric members, and
a pipe means connected to said air port to enable air to be
supplied to or removed from said inflatable bag device, thereby
changing the contour of said upper surface of said seat
cushion.
2. A vehicle seat assembly according to claim 1, wherein said
inflatable bag device comprises a plurality of rib fabric members
connected between said first and second outer fabric members.
3. A vehicle seat assembly according to claim 1, including a
plurality of pipe means, and wherein said inflatable bag device
comprises a plurality of air ports sealingly connected in one of
said first and second outer fabric members, a respective pipe means
being connected to a respective air port.
4. A vehicle seat assembly according to claim 1, wherein said
middle fabric layer of each of said first and second fabric members
is a woven fabric which has 70 to 200 meshes and which is made of
yarns which have a coarseness of 50 to 100 microns which display
non-expandable and retractable properties and which have high
strength.
5. A vehicle seat assembly according to claim 1, wherein said rib
fabric member has a tubular shape, and wherein said rib fabric
member is connected to said first outer fabric member along two
parallel lines and to said second outer fabric member along two
parallel lines.
6. A vehicle seat assembly which comprises
a seat back which provides a front surface against which a user
leans, said front surface having a contour,
an inflatable bag device positioned within said seat back, said
inflatable bag device comprising first and second generally
rectangular outer fabric members which are in direct sealing
contact with one another along only peripheries thereof, a rib
fabric member connected between said first and second outer fabric
members inwardly of said peripheries thereof, each said first and
second fabric member being made of a laminated sheet member
consisting of a meshed middle fabric layer sandwiched between two
thermoplastic synthetic resin layers, the two layers being adhered
to one another through the meshes of the middle layer,
an air port sealingly connected to one of said first and second
outer fabric members, and
a pipe means connected to said air port to enable air to be
supplied to or removed from said inflatable bag device, thereby
changing the contour of said front surface of said seat back.
7. A vehicle seat assembly according to claim 6, wherein said
inflatable bag device comprises a plurality of rib fabric members
connected between said first and second outer fabric members.
8. A vehicle seat assembly according to claim 6, including a
plurality of pipe means, and wherein said inflatable bag device
comprises a plurality of air ports sealingly connected in one of
said first and second outer fabric members, a respective pipe means
being connected to a respective air port.
9. A vehicle seat assembly according to claim 6, wherein said said
middle fabric layer of each of said first and second fabric members
is a woven fabric which has 70 to 200 meshes and which is made of
yarns which have a coarseness of 50 to 100 microns which display
non-expandable and retractable properties and which have high
strength.
10. A vehicle seat assembly according to claim 6, wherein said rib
fabric member has a tubular shape, and wherein said rib fabric
member is connected to said first outer fabric member along two
parallel lines and to said second outer fabric member along two
parallel lines.
11. A vehicle seat assembly which comprises
a seat cushion which provides an upper surface on which a user
sits, said upper surface having a contour,
an expandable and retractable mechanism positioned within said seat
cushion, said expandable and retractable mechanism comprising a
plurality of inflatable bag devices which are each formed of first
and second generally rectangular outer fabric members that are
sealingly connected together along peripheries thereof, thereby
providing interior chambers therein, each of said first and second
generally rectangular outer fabric member being made of laminated
sheet members consisting of a meshed middle fabric layer sandwiched
between two thermoplastic synthetic resin layers, the two layers
being adhered to one another through the meshes of the middle
layer, said plurality of inflatable bag devices being connected
together so as to form a stack and including openings in at least
one of the first and second outer fabric members thereof, each
opening of each inflatable bag device being in register with an
opening in another inflatable bag device so as to provide
communication between said interior chambers therein, and an air
port means sealingly connected to one of said inflatable bag
devices,
a support plate located in said seat cushion between said upper
surface of said seat cushion and said expandable and retractable
mechanism therein,
an air pump, and
a pipe means connecting said air pump with said air port of said
expandable and retractable mechanism to enable air to be supplied
to or removed therefrom and thus control the movement of said
support plate within said seat cushion and thereby change the
contour of said upper surface of said seat cushion.
12. A vehicle seat assembly according to claim 11, wherein said
inflatable bag device contains permeable urethane foam.
13. A vehicle seat assembly according to claim 11, wherein said
inflatable bag device comprises a plurality of rib fabric members
connected between said first and second outer fabric members.
14. A vehicle seat assembly according to claim 11, including a
plurality of pipe means, and wherein said inflatable bag device
comprises a plurality of air ports sealingly connected in one of
said first and second outer fabric members, a respective pipe means
being connected to a respective air port.
15. A vehicle seat assembly according to claim 11, wherein said
middle fabric layer of each of said first and second fabric members
is a woven fabric which has 70 to 200 meshes and which is made of
yarns which have a coarseness of 50 to 100 microns which display
non-expandable and retractable properties and which have high
strength.
16. A vehicle seat assembly according to claim 11 further
comprising a rib fabric member connected between said first and
second outer fabric members inwardly of said peripheries
thereof.
17. A vehicle seat assembly according to claim 16, wherein said
first and second outer fabric members and said rib fabric member of
said inflatable bag device are made of tarpaulin.
18. A vehicle seat assembly according to claim 16, wherein said rib
fabric member has a tubular shape, and wherein said rib fabric
member is connected to said first outer fabric member along two
parallel lines and to said second outer fabric member along two
parallel lines.
19. A vehicle seat assembly which comprises
a seat back which provides a front surface against which a user
sits, said front surface having a contour,
an expandable and retractable mechanism positioned within said seat
back, said expandable and retractable mechanism comprising a
plurality of inflatable bag devices which are each formed of first
and second generally rectangular outer fabric members that are
sealingly connected together along peripheries thereof, thereby
providing interior chambers therein, each of said first and second
generally rectangular outer fabric members being made of laminated
sheet members consisting of a meshed middle fabric layer sandwiched
between two thermoplastic synthetic resin layers, the two layers
being adhered to one another through the meshes of the middle
layer, said plurality of inflatable bag devices being connected
together so as to form a stack and including openings in at least
one of the first and second outer fabric members thereof, each
opening of said inflatable bag device being in register with an
opening in another inflatable bag device so as to provide
communication between said interior chambers therein, and an air
port means sealingly connected to one of said inflatable bag
devices,
a support plate located in said seat back between said front
surface of said seat cushion and said expandable and retractable
mechanism therein,
an air pump, and
a pipe means connecting said air pump with said air port of said
expandable and retractable mechanism to enable air to be supplied
to or removed therefrom and thus control the movement of said
support plate within said seat back and thereby change the contour
of said front surface of said seat back.
20. A vehicle seat assembly according to claim 19, wherein said
inflatable bag device contains permeable urethane foam.
21. A vehicle seat assembly according to claim 19, wherein said
inflatable bag device comprises a plurality of rib fabric members
connected between said first and second outer fabric members.
22. A vehicle seat assembly according to claim 19, including a
plurality of pipe means, and wherein said inflatable bag device
comprises a plurality of air ports sealingly connected in one of
said first and second outer fabric members, a respective pipe means
being connected to a respective air port.
23. A vehicle seat assembly according to claim 19, wherein said
middle fabric layer of each of said first and second fabric members
is a woven fabric which has 70 to 200 meshes and which is made of
yarns which have a coarseness of 50 to 100 microns which display
non-expandable and retractable properties and which have high
strength.
24. A vehicle seat assembly according to claim 19 further
comprising a rib fabric member connected between said first and
second outer fabric members inwardly of said peripheries
thereof.
25. A vehicle seat assembly according to claim 24, wherein the
first and second outer fabric members and said rib fabric member of
said inflatable bag device are made of tarpaulin.
26. A vehicle seat assembly according claim 24, wherein said rib
fabric member has a tubular shape, and wherein said rib fabric
member is connected to said first outer fabric member along two
parallel lines and to said second outer fabric member along two
parallel lines.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an inflatable air support device for a
chair, and more particularly to an improvement of the air support
to be used in an automobile and the improved air support.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
This kind of conventional air support is a mere air bag and there
is a major trend to use this air bag such that air is fed into or
discharged from it to expand or retract the air bag.
Therefore, no air bag was found in which only one air support could
fit the body of the user. Even in case that the above-mentioned air
support was stored in the seat cushion or seat back, the air
support was merely stored in it, so that even if air was poured
into the bag, the surface of the seat cushion or seat back merely
showed a bulging action, and this type did not fit to the body of
the user and so it showed some disadvantages that some effect of
holding of the seated person and removing a feeling of fatigue
could not sufficiently be attained.
This invention is one in which the abovementioned disadvantages of
the prior art are eliminated for its object.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first invention, there is provided an inflatable air
support device for a chair comprising a suspension fabric is
arranged between the upper opposed surface and the lower opposed
surface or the side fabric in the main body of the expandable air
bag, said surfaces being formed into a rugged configuration. With
this, it is possible to provide a chair having a fitness by the
provision of the rugged configuration in the surfaces unlike the
conventional air bag. According to a second invention, there is
provided an air support for chair characterized in that the main
body of the expandable air bag and part of or the whole suspension
in the first invention are formed of tarpaulin. Therefore, as
compared with the first invention, even if the force more than as
needed is applied to the main body of the air bag and the
suspension fabric, they are not deformed and in addition have the
strengthening property, thus increasing the durability.
According to a third invention, there is provided an air support
for chair in which permeable urethane foam is inserted into the
main body of the air support for chair according to the first
invention. Therefore, as compared with the first invention, an air
feed and discharge device is not always required, and a highly
useful air support for chair may be obtained.
According to a fourth invention, there is provided an air support
for chair in which in the main body of the air support for chair
according to the first invention, the main body of the expandable
air bag and part of or the whole suspension fabric are formed of
tarpaulin to constitute the body of the air support, and permeable
urethane foam is inserted into the main body of the air support. An
air feed and discharge device is not always needed while possessing
the configuration retaining property, and a further improvement is
applied to the first invention.
According to a fifth invention, there is provided a chair utilizing
the air support characterized in that the air support body for
chair according to the first to fourth inventions is sealed into
one or both seat cushion and a seat back, which is the invention
showing the utilizing place of the first to fourth inventions. This
fifth invention clearly shows that the utilization of the seat
cushion or seat back or both of them for the chair is useful.
There is further provided a method for manufacturing a chair with
an air support characterized by the steps of putting the air
support for chair according to the first to fourth inventions into
the central portion in the mold for the seat cushion or seat back,
filling the whole periphery of the air support for chair with a
liquid of expandable foaming material, and thereafter solidifying
said liquid to remove it from the mold, thus forming the seat
cushion or seat back. This is the best method for manufacturing a
chair utilizing the air support according to the first to fourth
inventions.
Next, a seventh invention provides a chair utilizing an air support
which comprises:
i. Air pump for supplying air,
ii. an expandable member encased in position of a vehicle seat to
supply and discharge the air supplied by said air pump,
iii. a support plate provided along a predetermined part in the
back of a surface layer member constituting a surface portion of
the vehicle seat, said support plate being moved in and out f the
seat surface by the expansion of said expandable member, which
elements i, ii and iii above constitute a seat support device for
the vehicle seat, and
iv. said expandable member comprising two sheets whose peripheral
edges are sealed to form an air bag body, a plurality of such air
bag bodies being placed one above another, predetermined points of
a contact surface between the air bag bodies adjacent to each other
being joined, and said joined portions being formed with vent holes
to provide a communication between the air chambers of the air bag
bodies. This invention improves over the utilizing means in
connection with the first to fourth inventions, providing an
expansion property in the surface of the chair with planar
positiveness.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1 to 22 show preferred embodiments utilizing the air support
for chair according to the present invention, and FIGS. 1 to 3 show
the first embodiment using one sheet of suspension fabric, FIGS. 4
to 6 show the second embodiment using plural sheets of suspension
fabric, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show the third embodiment using plural
sheets of fabric with the surfaces in rugged state, FIG. 9 and FIG.
10 show the fourth embodiment using plural sheets of suspension
fabric in the same way as that shown in FIG. 8 with their surfaces
in wavy form, FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 show the fifth embodiment
displaying the state for forming an independent air chamber by
means of plural sheets of suspension fabric, FIGS. 13 to 15 show an
embodiment for using partially provided hollow passage and FIGS. 16
to 22 show the seventh embodiment displaying a car for using
suspension fabric by means of a tube body. Meanwhile, FIGS. 23 to
29 show a method for manufacture in the case of utilizing an air
support for chair according to the present invention in a chair
etc. and FIGS. 70 to 74 show an improved method for manufacture. In
addition, FIGS. 30 to 33 and FIGS. 46 to 59 show particular
suspension fabric.
FIGS. 34 to 45 show embodiments of an air support according to the
present invention which utilizes tarpaulin. More specifically, FIG.
34 is a partly cutaway perspective view showing an air bag which
utilizes tarpaulin of the present invention; FIG. 35 is a sectional
view of the same; FIG. 36 is a partly cutaway perspective view
showing a molding sheet for forming an air bag; FIG. 37 is a
longitudinal sectional view of the same; FIG. 38 is a partly
cutaway perspective view showing an air bag whose peripheral edge
is devised while utilizing the tarpaulin in the present invention;
FIG. 39 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same; FIG. 40 is a
partly cutaway perspective view showing a molding sheet for forming
the air bag shown in FIG. 38; FIG. 41 is a longitudinal sectional
view of the same; FIG. 42 is a partly cutaway perspective view
showing an air bag whose peripheral edge portion is further
improved; FIG. 43 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same;
FIG. 44 is a partly cutaway perspective view showing a molding
sheet for forming the air bag shown in FIG. 42; and FIG. 45 is a
longitudinal sectional view of the same.
FIGS. 60 to 69 show one embodiment according to the seventh
invention in which: FIG. 60 is a partly cutaway perspective view
showing the interior of a vehicle seat equipped with an air support
device to which the present invention is embodied; FIG. 61 is a
sectional view taken on line X--X of FIG. 60; FIG. 62 is a
sectional view taken on line Y--Y of FIG. 60; FIG. 63 is a
sectional view taken on line Z--Z of FIG. 60; FIG. 64 is an
enlarged view of part W of FIG. 63; FIG. 65 is a partly cutaway
view showing an expandable member of a side support portion; FIG.
66 is a partly cutaway perspective view showing an expandable
member of a side support portion on the back rest side; FIG. 67 is
a partly cutaway perspective view showing an expandable member of a
side support portion on the seat side; FIG. 68 is a partly cutaway
perspective view showing a molding sheet cut into a rectangular
shape; and FIG. 69 is a sectional view of the molding sheet.
FIGS. 75 to 77 illustrate the third invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(Best Mode for Embodying the Invention)
Referring now to the drawings, some preferred embodiments of the
present invention will be described.
(Embodiments)
In the first preferred embodiment, it is constructed such that a
rectangular suspension fabric (2) is arranged between the upper
opposed surface (1a) and the lower opposed surface (1b) in the main
body (1) of the air bag and the suspension fabric (2) is applied
for making a rectangular cross section when the main body (1) of
the air bag is expanded. The main body (1) of the air bag is formed
to show a planar rectangular shape by overlapping two sheets of
thermoplastic soft urethane resin and thermally heating an entire
circumference of the sheets and an air feeding and discharging port
(3) to be connected to a pump (not shown) is provided at one of the
front and rear surfaces.
The suspension fabric (2) is of the same material quality as that
of the main body (1) of the air bag, and one sheet of fabric is
placed on a center line of a longitudinal side in the main body (1)
of the air bag as shown in FIG. 1 or one sheet of fabric is placed
on the center line of a short side in the main body (1) as shown in
FIG. 3, and the upper and lower longitudinal sides are thermally
melted to the upper opposed surface (1a) and the lower opposed
surface (1b) in the main body (1), respectively. The length of the
suspension fabric (2) is slightly shorter than either a longer side
or a shorter side of the main body (1) of the air bag, and
therefore an air chamber in the main body (1) is maintained in a
unitary form without being separated by the suspension fabric (2).
The suspension fabric (2) could be used in its tubular form.
Further, referring to FIGS. 13, 14 and 15, a more detailed
description shows that in order to facilitate a folding of the air
bag, the suspension fabric (2) may be made such that two sheets of
base fabrics are overlapped to each other and one side part is
adhered and they are applied with a permanent line to overlap at
their center points. And, referring to FIGS. 32 and 33, it may also
be possible to overlap two sheets of fabrics, to adhere both sides
of the fabrics to form a tubular shape, and the upper and lower
central portions are adhered to the upper opposed surface (1a) and
the lower opposed surface (1b), respectively.
The air bag of the first preferred embodiment as described above is
operated such that when the air is supplied to the main body (1) of
the air bag through a feeding and discharging port (3), the main
body (1) is expanded while the clearance between the upper opposed
surface (1a) and the lower opposed surface (1b) is kept constant by
the suspension fabric (2), the cross sectional shape in case of
bulged main body (1) is kept as a rectangular form and then the
front and rear surfaces of the main body become flat.
In the first preferred embodiment, the suspension fabric is applied
as one fabric but as shown in FIGS. 4 to 12, 31 and 33, a plurality
of suspension fabrics, for example, two to three suspension fabrics
may also be arranged in parallel. In this way, if a plurality of
suspension fabrics are arranged, an effect of holding shape of the
main body of the air bag may be increased, the cross sectional
shape of the main body can be made more approximate to a
rectangular shape and then the surface of the main body can
positively be a flat surface.
In the second preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the
suspension fabric (2) arranged at the upper opposed surface (1a)
and the lower opposed surface (1b) in the main body (1) of the air
bag is formed as a triangular shape or as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a
plurality of, for example, two rectangular suspension fabrics (2)
are arranged so as to divide unevenly the main body (1) in a
direction of short side or long side and the height of each of the
suspension fabrics (2) is gradually increased in their parallel
direction. In case that the triangular suspension fabric (2) is to
be installed, the number of fabrics may be either one or a
plurality of fabrics. In case that one suspension fabric (2) is
applied, the suspension fabric (2) is arranged on the center line
of the short side or long side of the main body (1) of the air bag
and in case of a plurality of suspension fabrics, it is preferable
to arrange each of the suspension fabrics so as to make an equal
division of the main body (1) of the air bag in its short side or
long side direction in such a way as it may make an effect of
holding of uniform shape.
The second preferred embodiment as described above is operated such
that when the main body (1) of the air bag is expanded, a clearance
between the upper opposed surface (1a) and the lower opposed
surface (1b) is gradually increased by the suspension fabric (2) or
(2) in its short side or long side direction, the cross sectional
shape of the main body (1) of the air bag becomes a triangular
shape and then the surface of the main body becomes an inclined or
slant surface.
The third preferred embodiment is constructed such that as shown in
FIG. 7, the suspension fabric (2) has an arcular side recessed from
one rectangular longitudinal side, a plurality of, for example, two
suspension fabrics (2) are arranged in parallel in a direction of
short side or longitudinal side of the main body (1) of the air
bag, or a plurality of, for example, four rectangular suspension
fabrics (2) are arranged in a direction of short side or
longitudinal side so as to divide the main body (1) of the air bag
as shown in FIG. 8, and the height of each of the suspension
fabrics (2) has a higher one at its outer side and a lower one at
its inner side, respectively.
The third preferred embodiment as described above is operated such
that when the main body (1) of the air bag is expanded, a clearance
between the upper opposed surface (1a) and the lower opposed
surface (1b) is varied in a quadratic curve fashion with the
suspension fabric (2) or a plurality of suspension fabrics (2), the
cross sectional shape of the main body (1) of the air bag becomes
such a shape as one rectangular longitudinal side being concaved to
an arcular shape, resulting in that the entire surface becomes a
concave surface.
The fourth preferred embodiment is constructed such that as shown
in FIG. 9 the suspension fabrics (2) are of such a shape as having
longitudinal sides of rectangular shape recessed to show a sine
curve, the above-mentioned suspension fabrics (2) are arranged such
that a plurality of suspension fabrics, for example, three fabrics
are arranged in parallel in a direction of short side or
longitudinal side of the main body (1) of the air bag, or as shown
in FIG. 10, a plurality of, for example, five rectangular
suspension fabrics (2) are arranged in such a way as the main body
(1) of the air bag is equally divided in a direction of short side
or longitudinal side, the height of each of the suspension fabrics
(2) is made higher at its intermediate one and both outer ones and
the suspension fabric held between them is made lower one.
The fourth embodiment as described above is constructed such that
when the main body (1) of the air bag is expanded, it is held in
such a way as a clearance between the upper opposed surface (1a)
and the lower opposed surface (1b) is varied in a sine curve
fashion with the suspension fabric (2) or a plurality of suspension
fabrics (2) and then the cross sectional shape of the main body (1)
of the air bag becomes one in which one rectangular longitudinal
side has a sine curved shape and the surface of the main body
becomes a curved surface having a raised part and a concave
part.
The preferred embodiment of the suspension fabric (2) could be
utilized as shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, or FIGS. 32 and 33. With this
arrangement, it is possible to facilitate a provision of the
corrugated surfaces on the upper opposed surface (1a) and the lower
opposed surface (1b), resulting in making a smooth fit to a human
body.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the main body (1) of the air
bag is provided with a rectangular suspension fabric (2) over a
clearance between the inner opposed surfaces (1a) and (1b) and
further with an air feeding and discharging port (3) to be
connected to a pump (not shown) at its rear surface.
The suspension fabrics (2) are of the same material quality as that
of the main body (1) of the air bag, they are arranged in parallel
in a properly spaced-apart relation in circumferential direction of
the main body (1) and each of the upper and lower edges is welded
to the upper opposed surface (1a) and the lower opposed surface
(1b) in the main body (1). The length of the suspension fabrics (2)
is slightly shorter than the longitudinal side of the main body (1)
of the air bag and therefore the air chamber in the main body (1)
of the air bag is partitioned by the suspension fabrics (2) to
constitute the sub-air chambers (4). The length of the suspension
fabrics (2) may correspond to the length of the longitudinal side
of the main body (1) of the air bag.
The sub-air chambers (7) are made such that some belt-like sheets
(5) cut to the desired width are arranged over the entire length of
the above-mentioned thermal melted part and its entire
circumferential edges are melted and adhered to the surface of the
main body (1).
The above-mentioned belt-like sheets (5) are applied in tension
over a space between the portions starting a concave part at both
sides of groove-like concave part which is formed along the
supporting locations for the suspension fabrics (2) of the surface
of the main body, and the widths of the above-mentioned belt-like
sheets (5) and the small sub-air chambers (7) are defined in
response to the width of the above-noted groove-like concave
portions.
The surface of the main body (1) of the air bag in the small
sub-air chambers (7) is provided with some communication holes (6)
so as to communicate the interior of the main body (1) with the
small sub-air chambers (7).
The main body (1) of the air bag in the above-mentioned preferred
embodiment is operated such that when air is supplied through
feeding and discharging ports (3) of the inner plugs, the opposed
inner surfaces of the main body (1) are expanded with a specified
clearance being kept by the suspension fabrics (2), their cross
sectional shapes are kept in a rectangular form, sub-air chambers
(4) may be independently formed or communicated to each other. In
this case, some groove-like concave portions are formed along the
supports at the edges of the suspension fabrics (2) at the surfaces
of the main body (1) of the air bag and the concave portions are
hidden by being covered by belt-like sheets (5) by a method wherein
the small subchambers (7) arranged along the concave portions are
expanded together with the main body (1).
In the above-mentioned preferred embodiment, it is optional that
the number of suspension fabrics (2) is decreased down to one
suspension fabric or increased up to three to four fabrics and they
may be arranged in a direction of the short side of the main body
(1) of the air bag, and also in this case the small sub-air
chambers (7) are arranged at the supporting parts for each of the
suspension fabrics (2) at the surface of the main body (1) of the
air bag and thus the surface of the main body (1) is kept flat.
In addition, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, each of the upper opposed
surface (1a) and the lower opposed surface (1b) of the main body
(1) of the air bag is provided with openings (8), and the
suspension fabrics (2) are arranged over the circumferential edges
of these openings (8).
The main body (1) of the air bag is constructed such that two
sheets of thermoplastic soft urethane resin are overlapped to each
other and the entire circumferences of the sheets are thermally
melted and adhered to each other to form a planar rectangular
shape, and one of the upper opposed surface (1a) or the lower
opposed surface (1b) is provided with an air feeding and
discharging port (3) to be connected to the pump (not shown).
Each of the openings (8) arranged in the above-noted upper opposed
surface (1a) and the lower opposed surface (1b) is of an ellipse o
circle having the same diameter, is positioned at the central
portions of the upper opposed surface (1a) and the lower opposed
surface (1b) and has a relatively large opening area.
The suspension fabrics (2) are of the same material quality as that
of the main body (1) of the air bag, two endless belt fabrics (2a)
and (2b) are thermally melted and adhered to each other to form a
gusset and constructed in such a way as they may be folded, and the
upper and the lower circumferential edges are thermally melted and
adhered to the circumferential edges of the openings.
The main body (1) of the air bag of the preferred embodiment as
described above is operated such that air is fed from the feeding
and discharging port (3) to expand the main body (1), resulting in
that a clearance between the circumferential edges of the openings
(8) of the upper opposed surface (1a) and the lower opposed surface
(1b) on the sheet is uniformly kept by the suspension fabrics (2),
the clearance holding action is extended up to the upper opposed
surface (1a) and the lower opposed surface (1b) around the openings
(8) and then the clearance between the upper opposed surface (1a)
and the lower opposed surface (1b) is kept uniform. Under such a
condition as the main body (1) of the air bag is expanded, each of
the surfaces (1a) and (1b) is flat. In case that the main body (1)
of the air bag is retracted, as shown in FIG. 13, the suspension
fabrics (2) are folded into the main body (1) of the air bag by
their gusset structures. FIG. 15 illustrates the retracted
condition of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 13.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention will be further
described in reference to the drawings.
The main body (1) of the air bag is constructed such that as shown
in FIGS. 16 and 17, a tubular suspension fabric (2) is arranged
over a clearance between the inner opposed upper surface (1a) and
the lower opposed surface (1b).
The main body (1) of the air bag is formed such that transparent
front and rear sheets of thermoplastic soft urethane resin are
overlapped to each other, then the suspension fabric (2) is
thermally melted and adhered to the desired locations at the
opposed surfaces of both sheets, thereafter the entire
circumferential edges of both sheets are thermally melted and
adhered to each other to form a planar rectangular shape.
The above-noted suspension fabric (2) is formed to a tubular shape
with the same material quality as that of the main body (1) of the
air bag, is extended in a direction of longitudinal side at the
central part between the upper opposed surface (1a) and the lower
opposed surface (1b) of the main body (1) of the air bag, two
locations of the uppermost part and the lowermost part acting as
the contacted portions between the above-noted opposed surfaces
(1a) and (1b) at the circumferential surface of the suspension
fabric (2) are thermally melted and adhered with a specified width
to the upper opposed surface (1a) and the lower opposed surface
(1b) and fixed thereto.
As described above, in order to fix the uppermost part and the
lowermost part at the circumferential surface of the suspension
fabric (2) to the upper opposed surface (1a) and the lower opposed
surface (1b) with a specified width, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17,
two locations at both sides of the fixed width at the
circumferential surface of the suspension fabric (2) are thermally
melted and adhered in a linear form over the entire length of the
suspension fabric (2) or as shown in FIG. 18 the entire surface of
the fixed width of the circumferential surface of the suspension
fabric (2) is thermally melted and adhered.
A process for thermally melting and adhering the suspension fabric
(2) to the upper opposed surface (1a) and the lower opposed surface
(1b) in a practical manner will be described in reference to FIGS.
19 to 22.
As shown in FIG. 19, the suspension fabric (2) is inserted and
fitted to a rod-like lower electrode (C.sub.1), the sheet-like
upper opposed surface (1a) is placed on the suspension fabric (2)
to set its position, then an upper electrode (C.sub.2) is forcedly
contacted onto the sheet-like upper opposed surface (1a) to hold
the uppermost part of the suspension fabric (2) and the sheet-like
upper opposed surface (1a) together with the lower electrode
(C.sub.1), then both electrodes (C.sub.1) and (C.sub.2) are
energized to perform a thermal melting and adhesion. Then, the
position where the lower electrode (C.sub.1) is applied is
displaced by a distance corresponding to the desired fixed width in
a circumferential direction of the suspension fabric (2) as shown
in FIG. 20, and both the suspension fabric (2) and the sheet-like
upper opposed surface (1a) are held by both electrodes (C.sub.1)
and (C.sub.2), thereafter they are thermally melted and adhered as
shown in FIG. 21.
As described above, the suspension fabric (2) and the sheet-like
upper opposed surface (1a) are thermally melted and adhered,
thereafter the suspension fabric (2) is rotated by a half distance
while it is inserted into the lower electrode (C.sub.1), the
circumferential surface of the suspension fabric (2) which is just
opposite to the fixed part of the suspension fabric (2) thermally
melted and adhered as described above is faced upward, the surface
part is thermally melted and adhered to the fixed position of the
sheet-like lower opposed surface (1b) in the same manner as that of
the sheet-like upper opposed surface (1a), and then the suspension
fabric (2) is applied over both upper and lower opposed surfaces
(1a) and (1b).
Since the suspension fabric (2) is of a tubular form, if it is
inserted into the rod-like lower electrode (C.sub.1), the forcedly
contacted surface of the electrode (C.sub.1) is held automatically
while it is contacted with the inner uppermost surface of the
suspension fabric (2), resulting in that an operation for setting
the melted and adhered part of the suspension fabric (2) to the
lower electrode (C.sub.1) and the operation for holding it under
such a condition as above may be eliminated and then the sheet-like
upper opposed surface (1a) is fixedly held manually on the
suspension fabric (2) held under the above-mentioned condition,
held by the upper electrode (C.sub.2) and the sheet may be
thermally melted and adhered in a simple and easy operation by
energizing the upper and lower electrodes (C.sub.1) and
(C.sub.2).
Both upper and lower opposed surfaces (1a) and (1b) having the
suspension fabric (2) thermally melted and adhered form the planar
rectangular main body (1) of the air bag by a thermal melting and
adhering of the entire circumferential edges with each other and
further a feeding and discharging port (3) is arranged at the rear
surface of the main body (1). In this case, both ends of the
suspension fabric (2) are held between the upper and lower opposed
surfaces (1a) and (1b) to make an integral thermal melting and
adhering.
With this arrangement, the suspension fabric (2) is held such that
its both ends are collapsed in a direction of shrinkage of the main
body (1) of the air bag and the entire suspension bag (2) is
collapsed flat. Thus, when the main body (1) of the air bag is
shrinked, the suspension fabric (2) is lightly collapsed together
with the main body (1) of the air bag and no useless projections
are generated at the surface of the main body (1) as shown in FIG.
22.
Both upper and lower suspension fabrics (2a) and (2b) holding the
upper and lower fixed parts at the circumferential surface of the
suspension fabric (2) are tensioned in an expanding direction with
a tension force of the main body (1) of the air bag and are
deformed to show a rectangular cross section as shown in FIG. 17.
Thus, air through-pass holes (9) are made at the circumferential
surface of the suspension fabric (2) so as to cause the air in the
main body (1) of the air bag to be flowed freely, a deformation of
the suspension fabric (2) is freely made and at the same time the
small sub-chambers (4) are made independent one.
A permanent folding line is applied in advance at the
circumferential folding part in the suspension fabric (2) to cause
the suspension fabric (2) to be easily collapsed, the length of the
suspension fabric (2) is made slightly shorter than the long side
of the main body (1) of the air bag, the air chamber in the main
body (1) of the air bag is kept in a unitary form without being
partitioned by the suspension fabric (2). In this case, the
suspension fabric (2) may not be provided with the through-pass
holes (9).
The main body (1) of the air bag in the preferred embodiment as
described above is operated such that both upper and lower
suspension fabrics (2a) and (2b) are tensioned in a tensile
direction upon feeding of air through the feeding and discharging
port (3) and the clearance between the upper opposed surface (1a)
and the lower opposed surface (1b) of the main body (1) of the air
bag is kept uniformly. At this time, since both side surfaces of
the suspension fabric (2) are tensioned with each other with a
distance of the fixed width, it may show the same holding effect as
that obtained in the case that two suspension fabrics are arranged
in parallel with the above-noted distance, the upper opposed
surface (1a) and the lower opposed surface (1b) of the main body
(1) of the air bag are uniformly held at two points, their cross
sectional shapes are held more accurately than that of a piece of
suspension fabric, and both front and rear surfaces of the main
body (1) of the air bag are formed to an approximate planar flat
surface.
It is of course optional that in the above-mentioned preferred
embodiment, the number of suspension fabrics is several, for
example, two to three, and these suspension fabrics are arranged
side-by-side in a direction of short side of the main body (1) of
the air bag. In this way, if a plurality of suspension fabrics are
arranged, the effect of holding the shape of the main body (1) of
air bag can be improved.
It may be applied that the suspension fabric (2) is of a
cross-shape, each of the small sub-air chambers (4) is
independently arranged and the through-pass holes (9) are provided
at each of the suspension fabrics (2).
An improvement in the suspension fabric (2) will be described with
reference to FIGS. 46 to 53, in which an inversion preventive
fabric (10) is arranged between the suspension fabrics (2). FIGS.
46 to 48 show the state wherein the inversion preventive fabric
(10) is joined at the side of the upper suspension fabric (2a).
FIGS. 49 and 50 show the state wherein the one is held and joined
between the upper suspension fabric (2a) and the lower suspension
fabric (2b). FIG. 51 shows the state wherein one end of the
inversion preventive fabric (10) is bended and fixed to the central
portion of the suspension fabric (2). FIG. 52 shows the state
wherein the suspension fabric (2) is in the form of a tube, and
FIG. 53 shows the basic one of the present invention. FIGS. 54 to
58 illustrate the invention with a further improved tubular
suspension fabric (2), and FIG. 59 shows the basic invention to
supplement said illustration. The tubular suspension cloth (2)
shown in FIG. 59 is operated such that when the main body (1) of
the air bag is expanded, it is expanded with the front and rear
surfaces curved outwardly and both front and rear surfaces in the
circumferential surfaces of the main body (1) are rounded, and
therefore, the tubular suspension fabric (2) is not evenly
tensioned over the full length thereof to create shrinkages as
shown in the circumferential surface of the suspension fabric (2).
The shrunk portions of the suspension fabric (2) are inverted with
variation of tension applied to the suspension fabric (2), thus
posing a disadvantage in that there gives out a large hollow sound.
However, such a hollow sound has been eliminated to produce by the
provision of inversion preventive holes (11) as shown in FIGS. 54
to 58.
While sheets of thermoplastic soft urethane resin have been
principally used as material used in the basic invention, it is
noted that material used in the present invention is not limited
thereto but tarpaulin as shown in the second invention may well be
used to further increase the effect. The tarpaulin material will be
described in detail. The main body (1) of the air bag shown in
FIGS. 34 and 35 uses a tarpaulin material (T) consisting of three
layers, namely, thermoplastic synthetic resin sheets provided on
the front and rear surfaces and a fabric (1c) sandwiched between
said sheets. This thermoplastic resin sheet comprises, for example,
a thermoplastic soft urethane resin sheet, and the fabric (1c)
comprises nylon or those having a high tension of polyesters.
In forming the tarpaulin material (T) as shown in FIG. 37, urethane
resin sheets are placed on both surfaces of the fabric (1c) with
the latter sandwiched therebetween, and the circumferential edges
of these three elements are melted and adhered together with a
desired width to form a three-layer sheet-like construction.
In forming the main body (1) of the air bag, two tarpaulin sheets
(T) are overlapped to each other, the suspension fabric (2) also
comprising the tarpaulin material (T) is melted and adhered to the
overlapped surface, and thereafter the circumferential edges are
again thermally melted and adhered together.
While the aforementioned main body (1) of the air bag has been
formed by the tarpaulin material (T) whose peripheries are
thermally melted and adhered, it is noted that the main body (1) of
the air bag may be formed by overlapping two fabrics (1c) and four
urethane resin sheets in the desired order, and thermally melting
and adhering the circumferential edges at a time.
The main body (1) of the air bag shown in FIG. 38 is formed of the
tarpaulin material (T) as shown in FIGS. 40 and 41 in the manner
similar to that of the main body (1) of the air bag.
The main body (1) of the air bag shown in FIGS. 42 and 43 is formed
of the tarpaulin material (T) as shown in FIGS. 44 and 45 in the
manner similar to that of the main body (1) of the air bag as
described above.
The aforesaid tarpaulin material (T) is formed by overlapping the
fabric (1c) cut into a planar rectangular shape and both front and
rear urethane resin sheets, sewing the circumferential edges of
these three elements together as shown in FIG. 44, thereafter
coating the surfaces of the seam allowance with coating sheets
comprising thermoplastic synthetic resin such as thermoplastic soft
urethane resin, and thermally melting and adhering the coating
sheets and the seam allowance of the both front and rear sheets to
keep air-tightness thereof.
The tarpaulin material (T) taken in the best form has the sectional
construction as shown in FIGS. 68 and 69. More accurately, the
fabric formed from yarns having coarseness of 50 to 100 microns
provided with a non-expanding and high tensile properties and
having the number of meshes of 70 to 200 is sandwiched between two
thermoplastic synthetic resin sheets, and both the sheets are
wholly thermally melted and adhered.
The embodiment of the third invention will be described with
reference to FIGS. 75 to 77, in which an urethane foam (U) is
inserted into the main body (1) of the air bag having the
suspension fabric (2) to constitute an air support for chair. If
the urethane foam (U) has the same effect as that of the suspension
fabric (2), the suspension fabric is not always required. The first
example of mixture of the urethane foam (U) is as follows.
The reaction temperature of the urethane foam is approximately
60.degree. C. to 70.degree. C., and the density thereof is 50
kg/m.sup.3 and hardness is 20 kg.
Then, the invention for utilizing an air support for chair relating
to the present invention shall be explained. One or suitable number
of the air support for chair provided with an air feed and
discharge port (3) connected to a pump not shown in Figures is or
are enclosed airtightly in a seat cushion (A) or seat bag (B), as
shown in FIG. 23 and FIG. 24. Air is supplied from the pump through
the air feed and discharge port (3) to the seat cushion (A) or seat
bag (B) under such airtightly enclosed state until desired cushion
feeling is obtained and the air is discharged when this air support
is not in use.
The method for manufacturing a chair utilizing this air support is
such that a forming mold is composed of the upper mold (C) and the
lower mold (D) as shown in FIG. 25, FIG. 26 and FIG. 27, and the
air feed and discharge port (3) of the air support for chair is set
outside the mold as well as air support (E) for chair is enclosed
in the central area between the upper mold and the lower mold in
floating state.
The expandable and retractable foam material (F), for example,
urethane under this condition will be described.
______________________________________ 1. Compound of urethane
Polyol 100 Isocyanate 40 to 50 Zinc oxide: heat-resistant
stabilizer for polyvinyl chloride, foaming assistant Water +
tertiary amine 3 to 4: foaming agent Foaming regulating agent of 1
to 2 silicon Catalyst of tin 0.2 to 0.4
______________________________________
The above-mentioned expandable and retractable foaming material is
poured into the mold, an entire circumference of the air support
(E) for chair is covered with the prior expandable and retractable
foaming material, thereafter foamed and cured to form the air
support. Physical quality of the exapandable and retractable
foaming material is as follows.
______________________________________ Note
______________________________________ 1. Apparent density (ASTM)
52.3 kg/m.sup.3 2. Hardness (JIS 50 m/mt) Product 69 m/mt Load at a
flexing of 25% 16.8 kg/314 cm.sup.2 Load at a flexing of 65% 65
kg/314 cm.sup.2 3. Tensile strength (JIS) 1.23 kg/cm.sup.2 4. Rate
of elongation (JIS) 145% 5. Tensile strength (ASTM) 0.97
kg/cm.sup.2 6. Repletion resiliency (JIS) 32.1% 7. Compression
residual degree (JIS) 3.9% 8. Repetitive compression residual 3.4%
degree ______________________________________
In case that the air support (E) for the chair is independently
applied in the seat cushion (A) or seat back (B) of the seat, as
shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the air support (E) for the chair is
placed at a proper location of the seat cushion (A) or the seat
back (B), the pipe part of the air feeding and discharging port (3)
is passed through the seat cushion (A) or the seat back (B) and
connected to a pump (not shown) to perform the feeding and
discharging of air.
The invention of another method for manufacturing a chair using an
air support will be described. FIG. 71 shows a conventional mold
for a chair, FIG. 72 shows a mold with a cover opened, and FIGS. 73
and 74 are respectively sectional views of a mold used in the
method according to the present invention. FIG. 70 shows a seat bag
for a chair finished by said method, which method can be used to
manufacture a seat cushion. The characterizing portions will be
described in the following. An air support (E) is incorporated in
advance into a lower mold (D) as shown in FIG. 73 for molding. In
this case, a portion where the air support (E) for chair is set in
the lower mold (D) is raised as shown in FIG. 74 to form a seat
back (B). This idea is applied to mold the seat cushion (A). A
supporting frame (G) is set within the mold, after which the
expandable and retractable foaming material (F) may be poured
therein. One example of the expandable and retractable foaming
material (F) is shown in the following.
The reaction temperature is approximately 180.degree. C., the
density is 35 kg/m.sup.3 and the hardness is 15 kg.
The seventh invention will now be described with reference to FIGS.
60 to 69.
FIG. 60 shows a vehicle seat provided with a support device, in
which a seat cushion (A), a seat back (B) and a head rest (d.sub.3)
are integrally provided, and said seat back (B) may be swung
forwardly and backwardly from the connection with the seat cushion
(A). A supporting frame (G) which forms a skelton of the seat
cushion (A) and the seat back (B) is formed from a pipe and a steel
plate and is covered with the expandable and retractable foaming
material (F) of the desired wall-thickness and a trim cover (104)
as shown in FIGS. 61 to 63.
The support device comprises expandable and retractable members
(b.sub.1), (b.sub.2), (b.sub.3), (b.sub.4) and (b.sub.5) which are
mounted on and secured to the desired locations in the seat
supporting frame (G) and are expanded and retracted by supplying
and discharging air fed from an air pump (a) which will be
described later, support plates (e.sub.1), (e.sub.2), (e.sub.3),
(e.sub.4) and (e.sub.5) which are connected to the expandable and
retractable members (b.sub.1) to (b.sub.5), respectively, directly
or through the operating mechanism and provided along the desired
parts of the rear surface of the expandable and retractable foaming
material (F), and an air pump (a) for supplying air to the
expandable and retractable members (b.sub.1) to (b.sub.5).
The expandable and retractable members (b.sub.1) to (b.sub.5) are
mounted on and secured to the desired locations of the seat
supporting frame (G). An air pipe (37) from the air pump (a) is
branched into several pipes through a branch valve (36), and these
branched pipes (37') are connected to the expandable and
retractable members (b.sub.1) to (b.sub.5), respectively, whereby
air from the air pump (a) is branched by the branch valve (36) to
feed air to the suitable expandable and retractable members
(b.sub.1) to (b.sub.5).
The support plates (e.sub.1) to (e.sub.5) are provided to support
the desired parts of the human body as mentioned above, the support
plate (e.sub.1) being disposed on a portion corresponding to a
femoral portion in the seat surface of the seat cushion (A), the
support plate (e.sub.2) disposed on a portion corresponding to the
back of the back rest surface of the seat back (B), the support
plates (e.sub.3) and (e.sub.4) disposed on both sides of thighs of
the seat surface and both sides of the waist of the back rest
surface, and the support plate (e.sub.5) disposed on the surface of
the head rest portion (d.sub.3). Portions where the support plates
(e.sub.1) to (e.sub.5) in the seat surface are disposed are called
the thigh support (31), the lumbar support (32), the side supports
(33) (34') and the head support (35), respectively.
The expandable and retractable members (b.sub.1) to (b.sub.5) and
the support plates (e.sub.1) to (e.sub.5) are selected in their
construction, surface shape and operation according to the regions
of the human body which are to be supported. However, a plurality
of the main bodies (1) of the air bag are placed one above another
to constitute the expandable and retractable members (b.sub.1) to
(b.sub.5), the support plates (e.sub.1) to (e.sub.5) are connected
to the expandable and retractable members (b.sub.1) to (b.sub.5),
and air fed from the air pump (a) are supplied to and discharged
from the expandable and retractable members (b.sub.1) to (b.sub.5)
to move the support plates (e.sub.1) to (e.sub.5) connected to the
expandable and retractable members (b.sub.1) to (b.sub.5) to and
from the seat surface.
The expandable and retractable members (b.sub.1) to (b.sub.5) are
formed of the three-layer tarpaulin material (T) as shown in FIG.
69. This tarpaulin material (T) is formed by sandwiching the fabric
(1c), which is woven with yarns having a coarseness of 50 to 100
microns provided with the non-expandable and retractable properties
and high tensile strength and the number of meshes of 70 to 200
between two thermoplastic synthetic resin sheets (g2) and (g2), and
wholly thermally melting and adhering both the thermoplastic
synthetic resin sheets (g2) (g2) together to provide an integral
structure of three elements (1c), (g2) and (g2). Yarns for
constituting the fabric (1c) comprise, for example, such as
polyester or polyamide, and the thermoplastic synthetic resin
sheets (g2) (g2) comprise thermoplastic soft urethane resin which
is somewhat harder than normal resin.
The tarpaulin material (T) thus constructed is possible to prevent
elongation by the fabric (1c) and restrain the wall-thickness of
the material (T) itself to a degree that the flexibility of the
material (T) is not impaired.
However, the main body (1) of the air bag formed by use of the
tarpaulin material (T) is less deformed when the high pressure is
applied into the air chamber (h) and free from shrinkages resulting
from the short in flexibility when expanded.
The expandable and retractable member (b.sub.1) of the thigh
support (31) and the support plate (e.sub.1) are internally
provided at the foremost portion of the seat surface.
The expandable and retractable member (b.sub.1) of the thigh
support (31) is used so that the tarpaulin material (T) is cut into
a generally rectangular shape as shown in FIG. 68, two sheets of
such material (T) are placed one above the other, and the
circumferential edges thereof are thermally melted and adhered
together as shown in FIGS. 64 and 65 to form the main body (1) of
the air bag. These main bodies (1) of the air bags are placed one
above the other, and the central portion of the contact surface
therebetween is thermally melted to join both the main bodies (1)
of the air bags together, and air through-pass holes (i.sub.1)
(i.sub.1) to communicate the air chambers (h.sub.1) (h.sub.1 ') of
both the main bodies (1) of the air bags are bored in the region of
the joined location.
Mounting lugs (38) (38) are projected from both end edges of the
main body (1) of the air bag underside of the expandable and
retractable member (b.sub.1), supporting lugs (39) (39) similar to
the mounting lugs (38) (38) are projected from both end edges of
the main body (1) of the air bag on the upper side, an air port
(40) for moving air in and out of the air chamber (h.sub.1) of the
main body (1) of the air bag is provided in the circumferential
edge of the main body (1) of the air bag, and an air pipe (37')
branched from the branch pipe (30) is connected to the air port
(40) through a connecting pipe (28).
The mounting lugs (38) (38) serve to fixedly mount the expandable
and retractable member (b.sub.1) on the supporting frame (G) in a
manner such that the lugs (38) (38) are secured by means of fixing
fittings (12) or screws to a base plate (41) mounted in the
neighbourhood of the front end in the desired location of the
supporting frame (G).
The supporting lugs (39) (39) of the main body (1) of the air bag
serve to connect the support plate (e.sub.1) to the surface of the
main body (1) of the air bag and support the same and is fixed to
the neighbourhood of the both ends of the rear face of the support
plate (e.sub.1) by fixing fittings (12) or by adhesion.
The support plate (e.sub.1) is formed of synthetic resin or steel
plate, and the surface thereof is adjusted to the surface of the
femoral portion in the seat surface to form a natural curve. In the
normal condition, the surface of the support plate (e.sub.1) is
applied to the rear surface of the expandable and retractable
foaming material (F) of the thigh support (31) portion.
When the air is supplied from the air port (40) of the main body
(1) of the air bag, the air passes through the air through-pass
holes (i.sub.1) (i.sub.1) from the air chamber (h.sub.1) and flows
into the air chamber (h.sub.1 ') of the main body (1) of the air
bag to expand the main body (1) of the air bag to expand the
expandable and retractable member (b.sub.1) itself. Thereby, the
support plate (e.sub.1) connected to the surface of the expandable
and retractable member (b.sub.1) extends toward the seat surface
and the thigh support (31) portion of said seat surface inflates
according to the expansion of the expandable and retractable member
(b.sub.1).
The expandable and retractable members (b.sub.3) (b.sub.3) of the
side support (33) on both sides of the femoral portion have the
construction as shown in FIGS. 62 and 67.
The expandable and retractable member (b.sub.3) is constructed such
that the tarpaulin materials (T) cut into a rectangular shape are
placed one above the other, the main body (1) of the air bag whose
circumferential edges are thermally melted and adhered is
superimposed, the portion along one side edge on the longer side in
the contacted surface therebetween is thermally melted and adhered
to join both the main bodies (1) of the air bags together, and air
through-pass holes (i.sub.3) (i.sub.3) to provide communication
between the air chambers (h.sub.3) (h.sub.3 ') of the main body (1)
of the air bag are bored in the area of said joined portion.
The expandable and retractable members (b.sub.3) (b.sub.3) are
mounted on the surface of base plates (13) (13), respectively,
stood upright while being somewhat inclined from both sides of the
supporting frame (G) toward the upper portion with the joined side
directed downwardly. The mounting lug (14) (14) projected on one
side edge of the main body (1) of the air bag of the expandable and
retractable members (b.sub.3) (b.sub.3) are secured to the surfaces
of the base plates (13) (13) by means of screws (15) and fixedly
mounted on the surfaces of the base plates (13) (13).
The support plate (e.sub.3) adjusted to the surface of the side
support (33) of the seat surface is applied to the surface of the
expandable and retractable members (b.sub.3) (b.sub.3), and the
supporting lugs (16) (16) projected on both end edges of the main
body (1) of the air bag are secured to the rear surface of the
support plate (e.sub.3) by means of fixing fittings (12) to thereby
connect the support plate (e.sub.3) to the surfaces of the
expandable and retractable members (b.sub.3) (b.sub.3). The support
plate (e.sub.3) connected to the surfaces of the expandable and
retractable members (b.sub.3) (b.sub.3) has its surface provided
along the rear surface of the expandable and retractable foaming
material (F) of the side support (33) portion.
An air pipe (37') branched from the branch valve (36) is connected
through a connecting pipe (28) to the air port (3) provided in one
side edge of the main body (1) of the air bag.
Since the expandable and retractable members (b.sub.3) (b.sub.3) is
constructed such that portions along one side edge of the main body
(1) of the air bag are joined, when air is supplied to the
expandable and retractable members (b.sub.3) (b.sub.3) to expand
the main body (1) of the air bag, other side edges of the
expandable and retractable members (b.sub.3) (b.sub.3) are opened
and stretched so as to form a generally V-shape in section as shown
in FIG. 62 whereby the support plate (e.sub.3) connected to the
surfaces of the expandable and retractable members (b.sub.3)
(b.sub.3) is projected so as to increase an angle of inclination
toward the central portion of the seat surface and inflate the
surface of the side support (33) as well.
As shown in FIG. 61, the support plate (e.sub.4) of the side
support (34) o the side of the seat back (B) is connected to the
expandable and retractable members (b.sub.4) (b.sub.4) through an
operating mechanism (j).
The operating mechanism (j) is constructed such that a support
shaft (18) is mounted between shaft carriers (20) (20) erected
toward the central portion of the seat from bearing plates (19)
(19) on both sides of the supporting shaft (G), and an arm plate
(21) is pivotally supported by the support shaft (18). The support
plate (e.sub.4) adjusted to the curved surface of the side support
(34) is fixedly mounted on the inner side at the extreme end of the
arm plate (21) in the state wherein the support plate (e.sub.4) is
applied to the rear surface of the expandable and retractable
foaming material (F) of the side supports (34) (34).
Furthermore, the expandable and retractable members (b.sub.4)
(b.sub.4) are placed between the rear end of the arm plate (21) and
the fixed surfaces (22a) (22a) of fixing members (22) (22)
projected in the shape of L from the bearing plates (19) (19)
toward the central portion of the seat, the mounting lugs (23) (23)
projected from both ends of the main body (1) of the air bag on the
sides of the fixed surfaces (22a) (22a) are secured to the fixed
surfaces (22a) (22a) by means of fittings (12), and the supporting
lug (19) projected from both ends of the main body (1) of the air
bag on the side of the arm plate (21) is secured to the rear
surface of the support plate by means of the fittings (12).
The expandable and retractable members (b.sub.4) (b.sub.4) are
constructed such that three air-bag main bodies (1) are placed one
above another, the central portions in the contacted surface of the
main bodies (1) are thermally melted and adhered to join each of
the main bodies (1) of the air bags together, air through-pass
holes (i.sub.4) (i.sub.4) to provide a communication between the
air chambers (h.sub.4) (h.sub.4 ') and (h.sub.4 ") of the main body
(1) of the air bag are bored in the area of the joined location, an
air port (24) is formed in the main body (1) of the air bag on the
side of the fixed surface (22a), and an air pipe (37') branched
from the branch valve (36) is connected to the air port (24)
through a connecting pipe (28).
When air is supplied to the expandable and retractable members
(b.sub.4) (b.sub.4) of the side support (34) to expand each of the
main bodies (1) of the air bags and expand the expandable and
retractable members (b.sub.4) (b.sub.4), the rear end of the arm
plate (21) is urged outwardly to turn the arm plate (21). Then, the
support plate (e.sub.4) provided at the extreme end of the arm
plate (21) pivots around the support shaft (18) toward the central
portion of the seat to thereby inflate the surface of the side
support (34).
The expandable and retractable member (b.sub.2) and support plate
(e.sub.2) in the lumbar support (32) have the same construction as
the expandable and retractable member (b.sub.1) and support plate
(e.sub.1) in the thigh support (31), wherein as shown in FIG. 60,
the expandable and retractable member (b.sub.2) composed of two
main bodies (1) of the air bags is fixedly mounted on the back rest
base plate (25) provided between both bearing plates (19) (19) of
the supporting frame (G), the support plate (e.sub.2) adjusted to
the curved surface of the lumbar support (32) is connected to the
surface of the expandable and retractable member (b.sub.2) by means
of screws or fittings (12), whereby air is supplied from the air
through-pass hole (26) into the expandable and retractable member
(b.sub.2) to expand the expandable and retractable member (b.sub.2)
and project the support plate (e.sub.2) toward the surface of the
lumbar support (32) thereby inflating the surface of the lumbar
support (32).
Also, the expandable member (b.sub.5) and support plate (e.sub.5)
of the head support (35) have the same construction as the
expandable and retractable members (b.sub.1) (b.sub.2) and support
plates (e.sub.1) (e.sub.2) of the thigh support (31) and lumbar
support (32) except that in the expandable and retractable member
(b.sub.5) of the head support (35), both longitudinal and lateral
widths of the main body (1) of the air bag are widened so as to
avoid deflections in all directions of the main bodies (1) of the
air bags when supported, and the area of the joined surface of both
the main bodies (1) of the air bags is formed into a wide square
shape.
The support plate (e.sub.5) is also formed largely and curved along
the back of the head naturally, and when air is supplied into the
expandable and retractable member (b.sub.5) to inflate the surface
of the head support (35), the back of the head of the user may be
positively supported without deflection.
The branch valve (36) for distributing air fed from the air pump
(a) to the expandable and retractable members (b.sub.1) to
(b.sub.5) of the support portions (31) to (35), respectively, is
provided with five branch flow passages (not shown) adapted to
branch air through-pass passages (not shown) in communication with
the air pump (a) through an air pipe (37), said branch flow
passages each being provided with a three-way valve (not shown)
adapted to open and close the flow passage to discharge air in said
flow passage outside. The opening and closing and discharging
operations of the three-way valve are made by operating buttons
(k.sub.1) to (k.sub.5). When the desired one of the support
portions (31) to (35) is inflated, the operating buttons (k.sub.1)
to (k.sub.5) of the support portions (31) to (35) are set to their
open position to supply the air fed from the air pump (a) to the
expandable and retractable members (b.sub.1) to (b.sub.5) of the
support portions passing through the air pipes (37') connected to
the branch passages, respectively.
When the suitable support surface is inflated and supported in the
desired state, the operating buttons (k.sub.1) to (k.sub.5) of the
support portions are moved to their closed position to stop a
supply of air.
When the support of the desired supports (31) to (35) portions are
loosened or depressed so as to face to the surface of the other
seat in the original state, the operating buttons (k.sub.1) to
(k.sub.5) of the support portions are moved to the discharging
position, and air within the expandable and retractable members
(b.sub.1) to (b.sub.5) of the support portions is discharged
outside from the branch passages in communication with the
expandable and retractable members (b.sub.1) to (b.sub.5).
The branch valve (36) is located on the side of the air cushion (A)
so that the user may access thereto along with the operating switch
(27) and the like.
While in the above-mentioned air support device, seven sets of the
expandable and retractable members (b) and support plates (e) have
been used, it is to be noted that more than one set of the
expandable and retractable members (b) and support plates (e) could
be used as desired and also their installing locations could be
optional as long as they are located on the seat surface. However,
in the case where plural sets of the expandable and retractable
members (b) and support plates (e) are provided, air from the air
pump (a) need be supplied to the suitable expandable and
retractable member (b), and therefore, the branch valve (36) used
in the air support device is required.
For connecting the support plate (e) to the expandable and
retractable member (b), it may be directly connected to the surface
of the expandable and retractable member (b) as in the supports
(31), (32), (33) and (35) of the support device or may be connected
through the operating mechanism (j) as in the side support (34),
which can be selected according to the need of design.
* * * * *